Close call or perhaps not

[fowler9]

This is a bit of a query to find out what I should have done or what others would have done. I went to a friends house in Seaforth on the Merseyrail network this evening. I got a lift there but was getting public transport home and wanted an area C Saveaway.

When I got to Seaforth station earlier this evening I went to the ticket office and the bloke who works there was busy picking up litter off the platform. He told me to get one at my destination which was Liverpool Central before getting a bus or train to the area around West Allerton. I double checked that this was alright because as far as I am aware if you get to Central without a ticket it is a penalty fare. Anyway I got on the train near the guard and there were 2 police officers at the back door. I told them what I was doing and kept a record of their badge numbers when they said don't worry, buy a ticket at central. When I got to Central I told the folks on the barrier and they let me through to buy a ticket.

In short, is this what should have happened, could I expect this to happen every time or on occasion could I expect a whole world of pain if I got the wrong person at any stage.

 

[AntoniC]

As a very regular traveller on Merseyrail (but with an Annual AllZones Trio), I fear that if a guard/RPI had asked for your ticket and you couldnt produce one you might have got into trouble.

Especially if they rang Seaforth & Litherland and the booking clerk denied all knowledge of your conversation.

 

[Polarbear]

I've been in a similar situation on a journey from Bache to Bootle New Strand in the past.

I needed to renew a weekly pass but the TVM wasn't working at Bache. With some trepedation, I boarded the train (as Bache is unstaffed, there's no one to ask) & travelled to Liverpool. At Moorfields, I went to the barrier & explained the situation. With no fuss, I was allowed through the barrier to buy my weekly ticket at the ticket office.

Thankfully, I was OK & was really grateful for the common sense appropach adopted by the staff on this occasion. I do wonder what the outcome would have been had I encountered one of the travelling inspectors en-route to Liverpool.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

I've been told to buy at destination many a time at Bebington, they put a sign in the window telling you to do so while the attendant is clearly visible making tea

Even the guards tell you to buy at destination and when I tell them that I'm going to Capenhurst/Little Sutton, which have TVM's, they tell me to simply set the destination as Bebington (or wherever I've come from) and look at me as if I'm stupid.

 

[fowler9]

I was probably right to be a bit apprehensive then. I knew it was dodgy, don't get me wrong, all of the staff and the police were brilliant but you just need to get the wrong person and I'm twenty quid that I don't have worse off.

Is there a TVM on Seaforth station does anyone know? I never noticed one, to be honest I don't normally have to by a ticket there because I already have a Saveaway or am using the return portion of a ticket.

 

[John @ home]

Is there a TVM on Seaforth station does anyone know?

National Rail Enquiries indicates that there is no ticket machine at Seaforth & Litherland [SFL] but that the ticket office is supposed to be open from 05:52 (Sundays 08:07) to 00:07.

 

[fowler9]

National Rail Enquiries indicates that there is no ticket machine at Seaforth & Litherland [SFL] but that the ticket office is supposed to be open from 05:52 (Sundays 08:07) to 00:07.

Cheers for that mate. The chap who was out picking up litter told me if I had any trouble to get Central to ring him. Still didn't entirely trust him on that.

 

[razor89]

This is perfectly acceptable. If you had met an RPI on your train they would have rang Seaforth to check that they did in fact tell you to pay at your destination, and then would normally sell you a paper ticket for your journey. However as you wanted a Saveaway they probably would have told you to pay at Central.

The vast, vast majority of staff can be trusted in this situation, and most problems arise when passengers walk past the window, see there is nobody sitting there and just assume they can pay at their destination. Ticket office staff cannot be expected to sit there for up to 9 hours without moving!

 

[185]

Discreetly photograph the vacant booking office window. If prosecutions are based on evidence, collect some of your own

 

[fowler9]

This is perfectly acceptable. If you had met an RPI on your train they would have rang Seaforth to check that they did in fact tell you to pay at your destination, and then would normally sell you a paper ticket for your journey. However as you wanted a Saveaway they probably would have told you to pay at Central.

The vast, vast majority of staff can be trusted in this situation, and most problems arise when passengers walk past the window, see there is nobody sitting there and just assume they can pay at their destination. Ticket office staff cannot be expected to sit there for up to 9 hours without moving!

I'm sure the vast majority are trustworthy and I wouldn't expect them to sit at the window for 9 hours, we all have calls of nature. It did worry me though as I simply can't afford £20 at the mo and am guessing that could eventually land me in court.

Obviously this is a bit of a none issue as all of the staff I spoke to were brilliant as they normally are. I'm also guessing that the staff on the barriers at Central would think you are a bit daft if you deliberately try and get through without a ticket.

Oh to be working again and just be able to flash a Trio ticket.

 

[34D]

Discreetly photograph the vacant booking office window. If prosecutions are based on evidence, collect some of your own

This is very good advice.

We have another thread about ticket offices not being open when they are supposed to be, and part of this is allegedly staff closing the window, but leaving computer systems logged in.

I would definitely take a photo of the closed office/etc

 

[8J]

What the ticket office staff told you was correct. Its always best to take a wee photo of a closed ticket office though.

The Merseyrail RPIs have a bit of a reputation with the locals for not believing a "the ticket office was closed" story. But on the whole, they are genuine and will check with the station staff. The problem arises when station staff deny that they have been out and about or have just swapped shifts. Then its always best to compile your own evidence!

 

[fowler9]

What the ticket office staff told you was correct. Its always best to take a wee photo of a closed ticket office though.

The Merseyrail RPIs have a bit of a reputation with the locals for not believing a "the ticket office was closed" story. But on the whole, they are genuine and will check with the station staff. The problem arises when station staff deny that they have been out and about or have just swapped shifts. Then its always best to compile your own evidence!

I will do so in future.I would have felt a bit awkward in this case though as the lights were on, the shutters were and the guy working the stations was stood just behind me raised up a bit on the North bound platform. Don't get me wrong, I was glad to see him clearing the litter (And there does seem to be a lot on the occasions I use Seaforth) but I'd rather have a valid ticket in my hand and worry about how nice the station environment is afterwards.
Can't please all the people all the time.